By Afanwi Ngwa
Regional Delegates and key actors involved in the #development of the Northwest region have adopted several recommendations that they say will facilitate access to Infrastructure, Services, information and communication, #Justice and Education for people with disabilities (#PWDs) in the region. This they say, will pave the way for the effective achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs).
In a panel Discussion, Heads of government services in the North West Region alongside Human Rights Activists and non-governmental Organizations advocating for the rights of persons with #disabilities and persons with impairment themselves brainstormed on the level of implementation of accessibility which they attest is still at the preliminary stage in their respective services more than ten years since Cameroon ratified the UN convention on the protection and promotion of persons with disabilities.
Through the Panel Discussion, the Socioeconomic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities program (#SEEPD) of the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services which has been very instrumental in the protection of the Rights of persons with disabilities and its partners are seeking ways to facilitate inclusive development in the region to accompany the SDGs which in effect leaves no one behind.
Following the challenges raised during the paneldiscussion, regional delegates in the northwest Region as well as municipal authorities have pledged to respect all the facets of inclusion in all the stages and aspects of development ranging from the Construction of buildings for public and private usage to services and information. Key actors and Organizations championing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be adequately consulted before they are allocated assistance, and proper sensitization be done through the right channels at the level of road traffic with appropriate road signs instituted on major roads to ease movement for persons with impaired to cite a few.
Many in the region have applauded this maiden edition of the panel discussion and are committed to evaluating the commitment of service providers in 2024.
The panel discussion on the comprehensive accessibility plan for the North West region is part of activities to mark this year's International Day for Persons with Disabilities. This year's activities have been jointly organized by the Ministries of Social Affairs and Decentralization and Local Development with facilitation from the Socioeconomic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities program (#SEEPD) of the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (#CBCHS)